Thousands converge in downtown Long Beach for USA’s second World Cup appearance

Nearly 3,000 soccer fans — donning their American flags, and other star-spangled regalia — took over a portion of downtown Long Beach on Friday, June 18, to celebrate the United States men’s national team’s second match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Australia.

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The free event, for which the city, the Downtown Long Beach Alliance and the L.A. Galaxy collaborated to put on, took place along Pine Avenue and Broadway, and attracted fans from all over Long Beach and the region — and beyond — hoping to see the USMNT put on a performance as high-octane and entertaining as the team’s first World Cup match on June 12 — which resulted in a raucous 4-1 American victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles.

Even though the match took place in Seattle, rather than Southern California, downtown Long Beach was electric on Friday. By 11 a.m., fans had descended on Pine Avenue donning their American bests: One man wore American flag overalls with a bald eagle attached to his shoulder. Families draped themselves in American flags. There were even a few Australian supporters in their bright yellow-and-green jerseys dotted the crowd.

While the second half became a nervy slog, the U.S. took care of business in the first 45 minutes, getting an Australian own goal and a header from wingback Alex Freeman. Ultimately, fans in Long Beach and elsewhere in the Southland — and nationwide —- watched as the United States outlasted a physical Australian to win 2-0 and clinch a spot in the knockout rounds with one group stage match to spare.

Among those in the crowd in Long Beach was Rolando Rhymes, who came all the way from Phoenix.

At halftime, Rhymes called the atmosphere immaculate, and alluded to how the U.S. men’s national team can help bring the nation together.

“On a day like today, not only are we celebrating Juneteenth,” he said, referencing an annual holiday that commemorates the day on June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved Black people learned about their freedom in Galveston, Texas, “we’re celebrating the USA on American soil taking care of business.

“I’m glad I’m here for this. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Rhymes added. “Me being 6.5 hours away, nothing would stop me from being here with all these beautiful fans.”

Besides livestreaming the match on a 23-foot screen, the celebration also featured a Galaxy pop-up store, demonstrations from the L.A. Galaxy Star Squad, plenty of food, and of course, plenty to drink, especially from the local watering holes like Shannon’s on Pine and Altar Society Brewing along Pine Avenue, where the event was held.

This isn’t the first L.A. Galaxy Soccer Celebration that Long Beach has hosted in honor of the World Cup, and it won’t be the last. Watch parties along Broadway and Pine Avenue will continue through June 27; and the city has even more special events planned for the World Cup final, scheduled for July 19.

All the World Cup-related fanfare will culminate with a one-day open streets event — akin to the city’s Beach Streets events — in multiple neighborhoods across Long Beach on July 19, which will open up streets to pedestrians and bicyclists. That event will get underway at Bixby Park, but streets across multiple neighborhoods will close to motor vehicles and open for pedestrians and bicyclists.

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To see the full schedule for Long Beach’s World Cup watch parties, go to longbeach.gov/SoccerInTheLBC.

Long Beach isn’t the only place to watch matches, however.

After welcoming more than 100,000 visitors to the initial round of FIFA Fan Fest events at the L.A. Coliseum during the first week of the World Cup, the celebrations moved to the Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St., in Los Angeles, on Thursday. The market also hosted a fan event on Friday, and will do so again on Saturday and Sunday. Downey will also host a fan fest event on Saturday.

Downey’s event will take place at the Stonewood Center, 251 Stonewood St., and besides the match viewing, it will feature live entertainment, an art walk, soccer clinics and exhibitions, a beer garden, and more.

That city will show Netherlands vs. Sweden at 10 a.m., Germany vs. Côte d’Ivoire at 1 p.m., Ecuador vs. Curaçao at 5 p.m. and Tunisia vs. Japan at 9 p.m. Admission to that event is free, though there are VIP packages available starting at $150.

The FIFA Fan Fest events at the Original Farmers Market feature two 30-foot viewing screens, alongside secondary 15-foot viewing screens; two beer gardens; a family fun zone with a soccer playground; limited-edition Farmers Market, soccer-themed merchandise; and, of course, food and other offerings from the market’s more than 40 vendors.

“Long known as one of LA’s most dynamic culinary destinations, the Original Farmers Market will offer a passport-worthy lineup of flavors as diverse as the teams playing in the FIFA World Cup 2026,” the event website said. “Many Market merchants will be featuring limited-time (World Cup) and game-inspired dishes and drinks including Brazilian, French, Mexican, Japanese and American.”

That fan fest was also packed on Friday. Before the match, Jason Tovar, a healthcare worker who lives in Los Angeles, was celebrating in an eagle costume, with star-spangled pants and an American flag around his neck. His friends saw him on TV, he said.

“Everyone saw me on TV and friends are messaging me,” he said, adding that he was hoping to bring energy and spirit to the crowd.

When asked his age, Tovar responded that he’s about to turn 250 years old, referencing America’s impending milestone birthday.

Staff photographer Drew Kelley and freelance photographer Axel Koester contributed to this report.

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